Volunteer Abroad v​ia NMU

Spend spring break, winter break, or May participating in a variety of volunteer opportunities while exploring a new country and culture for 8-17 days. This is your chance to travel and assist others!

In order to participate, students must be enrolled in Superior Edge. The programs do not provide academic credit--rather, they offer motivated students a chance to spend the holidays having fun and helping others. Volunteer Abroad Program Application

2015 Programs*

We fly into the UNESCO World Heritage city of Quito and then travel to Cuenca where our service work is centered. You will volunteer in various youth development settings such as English learning classrooms, a daycare for street kids, or youth skill development center. You will be paired up to live with local host families, providing a great glimpse into the rich cultural life of everyday Ecuador. You’ll also get a chance to explore the beauty of the Andean countryside, with excursions to Cajas National Park and the Incan ruins at Ingapirca. The program concludes with a day in Quito, exploring the old city and Mitad del Mundo displays at the equator - take your picture on the earth’s geographical “waistline!” For more info, contact Susan Morgan.

Rescuing sea turtles, volunteering with a rural community with a focus on environmental topics and education, and visiting the historical and cultural city of Salvador...who wants in on this trip of a lifetime? All NMU students and alumni are invited!

For more information, contact Hannah Lewis at hkratz@nmu.edu or call the CSE office at
906-227-2439 for pricing and trip details.

Thailand - Dec. 2015-Jan. 2016

Take a tour of Bangkok and then head to Chiang Rai to work on the construction of a new community center for four days. After all of your hard work, you will get to spend time at an extreme adventures camp in Chiang Mai. After having a day of fun, you will begin learning how to train and care for elephants (how cool is that!) at the Maewang Elephant Camp for two days. Spend a day on a bamboo raft as you head back to Chiang Mai. To finish up the trip, you will get to spend a couple days on the beach. For more information, contact Rachel Harris. To check out photos from the Dec. 2013/Jan. 2014 project, click here.

2016 Programs*

Belize - Spring Break

Travel to St. Ignacio, CAYO district, a small market town known for its incredible beauty. Volunteer at the local youth center where you will tutor, mentor, teach health education, and explore the arts. Learn about the local culture, tour the Mayan Ruins, and go on a cave tour. End the week with a visit to the beach. To see photos from the 2014 project, click here.

While staying with Irish families in Dublin, you will get to learn about their rich Irish culture as well as volunteer in a Montessori, a senior center, or with troubled youth. You will spend a day in County Wicklow (the "Garden of Ireland"). You will then head north to visit the Titanic exhibit, tour Belfast, and explore the walled city of Derry. On your way to the small remote village of Glencolmcille, you will get to explore famous sites like Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, and Dunluce Castle. While in Glencolmcille, you will volunteer at the Glen Folk Village. Contact Cara Kamps for more info.

India - Winter Break 2016-17

Celebrate the New Year with service learning in Goa, India! Goa is located halfway down India’s western coast and is known for its sandy beaches, coconut groves, and dense forests. We work with IDEX, an international service learning organization, on projects that support local villages. Volunteer teaching in schools, working in day care centers, providing education in orphanages, to local women’s groups and adolescent girls. Enjoy sightseeing in Mumbai, visiting the beautiful beaches of Goa and a guided tour a Hampi with the opportunity to observe the training of elephants.For more info, contact Bethney Bergh or Gary Stark.

*Proposed projects are tentative and subject to change. Email the contact or Susan Morgan for the most updated information.